NSW mental health experts sound alarm on workforce shortage

‘Our mental health system is crumbling’: NSW mental health experts sound alarm on workforce shortages

It’s no secret that gender inequality plays a role in the mental health issues facing Australian women, with the cost-of-living crisis and an unequal mental load contributing heavily. 

According to the Liptember Foundation, two in five working women in Australia report that their mental health has deteriorated in the past 12 months due to their work demands. The top three reasons for this include burnout (58 per cent), the mental load (54 per cent) and work/life/family juggle (43 per cent). 

Considering the gendered forces at play when it comes to mental health, a lack of access to care, treatment and support is concerning. 

In New South Wales, the Mental Health Alliance has said they’re concerned about the number of people experiencing mental health challenges in the state. This is partly because of a workforce shortage impacting health service availability at the moment. 

The Alliance is urging the NSW government to work with the mental health sector to immediately implement policy changes that attract, train and retain more mental health workers. 

Earlier this year, a state government-led analysis revealed a 29 per cent shortfall across the service system for the 207,000 people in NSW living with severe and complex mental health and psychosocial needs. 

The National Mental Health Service Planning Framework data gathering tool also found that at least 58,000 people with mental health conditions were missing out on care in NSW across all service delivery contexts.

“Ask any psychiatrist and they will tell you– our mental health system is crumbling under unbearable pressure, and for people and families desperate for help there is quite literally nowhere to turn,” said Dr Pramudie Gunaratne, Chair of the NSW Branch of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). 

“It is heartbreaking to see patients, particularly those with the most complex and serious needs, paying the price for years of neglect and de-prioritisation of mental health.”

“Workforce shortages are pushing the system and frontline workers to breaking point. We see this everyday– our colleagues are distressed, demoralised and exhausted,” said Dr Gunaaratne, adding that the problem extends to an inability to attract newly trained psychiatrists. 

A recent survey from RANZCP showed that only 20 per cent of newly trained psychiatrists are choosing to stay and work in NSW Health after completing their training. 

Advocacy Chair of the Australian Society of Psychological Medicine, Dr Karen Spielman said the workforce shortage is contributing to GPs with special interest and expertise in mental health being busier than ever. 

“With increasing need and fewer clinicians to share the load, sadly costs and wait times increase and more people miss out on care,” said Dr Spielman. “Caring for those with complex needs requires time and teamwork.”

“We support urgent attention to workforce shortages and systemic improvement for the benefit of the NSW community.”

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